Farmers and businesses along the Yorkshire Coast affected by the immense moorland fire near RAF Fylingdales this summer are caught in a damaging policy gap, leading to urgent calls for the government to provide compensation parity with flooding incidents.
The major blaze, which covered nearly 25 square kilometres at its peak in August near the ballistic missile early warning base at RAF Fylingdales (located near Pickering), saw local farmers play a crucial, acknowledged role in assisting emergency services. However, the current grant system is failing those who suffered losses.
Alison Hume, the Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby, is leading efforts to lobby the government, highlighting the difference in support available depending on the type of disaster and reflecting concerns that North Yorkshire Council could be left to pick up some of the costs. Ms Hume stated that the lack of a clear framework had deeply affected her:
"I've been personally affected by the stories that I've heard from the farmers.
I think we've just exposed a failure in the grant system. There isn't a pathway for grants for businesses affected by wildfires. There is for flooding.
And I understand that North Yorkshire Council don't feel that they should be footing the bill, but I would say that if there's any kind of money in the coffers to help in the short term for the most seriously affected, Perhaps the council could look at it, but I do understand it's a government issue. I am lobbying and I will continue to do the best for my constituents."
This compensation crisis is hitting local businesses hard, prompting concern from the local council level.
The fire, which saw a major incident declared due to its proximity to critical infrastructure, is being viewed by local representatives as a matter of national concern, justifying central government intervention rather than relying on local authority funds.
Scarborough Councillor Heather Philips, stressed that waiting for support is not an option for affected enterprises, and pushed back on the idea that local taxpayers should shoulder the cost of the disaster:
"We've got businesses which are being told they have to wait to get support.
Fire and flood are just as devastating. One is no less of a problem than the other. Can you assure us that you will be lobbying the various departments because at the moment being told that North Yorkshire should be footing the bill isn't going to wear because we don't have the resources and we don't think morally that people in North Yorkshire should pay the bill for such a massive incident.
It's a nationally significant incident."
Alison Hume MP said that she is specifically focused on ensuring that wildfires are treated with the same urgency as floods. She confirmed she is working directly with key government departments to remedy the situation:
"On the Langdale Moor fire, I'm working with the council and MPs to lobby government to ensure that farmers and businesses are compensated by wildfires in the same way that they're compensated by flooding incidents. Now, there is a grant scheme available to businesses affected by flooding, but there isn't a similar one for wildfire, and I'm talking to MHG about this."
Ms Hume has already met with the National Farmers' Union (NFU) president and farmers to hear directly about the support required. Beyond direct compensation for losses, she is also exploring whether reimbursement for the fuel costs incurred by local farmers who aided in tackling the blaze should be provided. While a local GoFundMe page has raised approximately £75,000, questions remain regarding how emergency government funding might be deployed to further support those farmers.
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